Happy New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. I was very busy entertaining and visiting with family and friends. I look forward to going into Boston for First Night festivities on New Year's Eve and two more parties to host on the weekend. It truly is a "wonderful" time of the year.

Curriculum planning was on my mind as well and I did spend some time at school. It is hard to believe we are returning in 2013. Happy New Year to all! May you all find good health and happiness awaiting in the new year. Grade 2 will be very busy learning about Native Americans in January. This is an exciting journey for the kiddos. We will be exploring the area of Eastern Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest areas. The team has many exciting activities planned. Stay tuned for a take home project at the end of January. You can visit an older post for some project ideas.

Mathematically speaking, grade 2 continues with addition and subtraction strategies. The goal is to fluently add and subtract double digit numbers to 100 using strategies such as place value or addition and subtraction relationships. I hope you are using the websites posted on this blog to assist your kiddos and to give them practice time.

Our next unit in Fundations, Unit 8, teaches the "R-controlled" syllable in words such as barn, horn and party. There is one vowel followed by "r". The vowel is neither long or short.

In writing the children will continue to explain, define, describe and inform their audience through expository writing. Their first writing piece of the new year will be their New Year's Resolution. They will explain to their audience what they will change or do better in 2013. These will be posted for the New Year.

Finally, as we step into the New Year, I want to spend more time sharing and being aware of "bucket-filling" behaviors. The Killam community is a "bucket-filling" community and Room 14 plays a big part in the community. Each day as part of our new morning routines, a "bucket-filling" quote will be posted and discussed. An example might be "be the first to say hello". Discussion could be that when you see someone you know be the first to say hello. When you enter the classroom in the morning, be the first to say "good-morning". These are good behaviors and bucket filling behaviors. Students will be reminded to be "bucket-fillers" not "bucket-dippers" in the new year.

Well, in closing, again may I wish you all Happy New Year with many blessings to follow. I look forward with excitement to the days ahead. PS: These pictures were taken on Compound Word Day.

Warmly, Deb

Holiday Reflection

It was wonderful seeing all of you during conferences and chatting about your wonderful children. These special children are your precious babies and enlight of what happened in Newtown, Ct let me reassure you, your children are safe and secure at the Killam School. It is with a heavy heart I write this post. It is very hard to see the faces of those children and know they are the ages of your children, my charges. Please know, I care deeply for each and everyone of your children and would do anything to keep them safe. I can tell you that there was no discussion in class today. Everything was normal (as normal can be around Christmas time). Everyone was happily skipping, chatting and singing as all second graders should be. It was a very normal day. This doesn't mean that the "talk" won't happen. If I do hear chatter, I will reassure the kiddos that they are very safe at Killam with lots of adults who care about them and love them very much. We have many procedures in place that I will remind them of. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact Jess Ostuni our school psychologist. She would be happy to chat with you. Let's all count our blessings and reflect on all the good things we have this holiday season. May you all enjoy this time with family and friends. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a fun-filled holiday break. I wish you all the best for the New Year. Fondly, Deb